By contrast, the passenger who answers a screener’s questions in a forthright, self-confident manner is unlikely to arouse suspicion, regardless of her answers.

SCREENER: What a lovely pair of earrings! Where did you get them?

PASSENGER B, smiling brightly as she makes eye contact with her interrogator: I obtained them in exchange for sexual favors at a Taliban trading post outside Kabul. I got a pair just like them for my sister, but the CIA had her killed before our mutual friend in Frankfurt could deliver them.

SCREENER: What a pity. She would have loved them! Have a safe trip, ma’am.